Offa community demands further investigation into bank robbery despite death sentences

Residents of Offa in Kwara State have expressed dissatisfaction with the recent court verdict sentencing five men to death for their involvement in the devastating 2018 Offa bank robbery.

While welcoming the convictions, the Offa Descendants Union (O.D.U.) demanded a deeper investigation to ensure all those involved are brought to justice.

The horrific incident, which occurred in April 2018, resulted in the deaths of 33 people, including nine police officers and pregnant women.

The robbers stormed the town, attacking all but two commercial banks and looting millions of naira. The Offa Divisional Police Station was also targeted, with all officers on duty killed and the armoury plundered.

Six years on, five suspects – Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham – were found guilty of armed robbery, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of firearms. Justice Haleema Salman of the Kwara State High Court sentenced them to death by hanging.

However, the O.D.U. believes the investigation was incomplete.

At a press conference in Offa, Chief Tajudeen ‘Lanre Shittu, Chairman of the O.D.U., expressed gratitude for the convictions but stressed the community’s reservations about the handling of the case .

“We appreciate the conviction of the suspects, but Offa as a community has reservations on the way the investigation was handled by the police,” Shittu said.

“We consider the investigation leading to the judgement as inconclusive and an attempt to cover and protect the names of those who were identified by the robbers during the investigation.”

The O.D.U. is particularly concerned about the lack of investigation into those who supplied the vehicles used in the robbery and other individuals mentioned during the initial police investigation.

They called on the state government to revisit the case and ensure a more thorough investigation is conducted.

“We will never relent to pursue any attempt made by evil doers and ensure that full justice is achieved on the heartless souls including those who have links with them during the course of investigation,” Shittu asserted. “This is a major concern to our community and a very important course we have resolved to pursue to a logical conclusion.”

In the wake of the attack, the Offa community took significant steps to bolster local security. They constructed and donated a multi-million naira Mobile Police (MOPOL) barracks and provided vehicles for all security agencies in the community through the Offa Security Trust Fund.

The community’s determination to seek full justice for the victims of the robbery reflects their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Offa.

The O.D.U.’s call for a more comprehensive investigation is a plea to leave no stone unturned in holding all those involved accountable.